WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — Among the unfortunate consequences of the response to the coronavirus pandemic is that people in the hospital are unable to see their loved ones due to strict visitor restrictions.
Regardless, a squad of Grand Rapids police personnel made sure the oldest living person to serve the department got to see and hear how much they thought of him.
Retired GRPD Capt. Cliff Carlon is spending what will likely be his last days in hospice at Metro Health in Wyoming. At 99, he has a multitude of critical health issues, all unrelated to coronavirus.
From his window Thursday, he was able to see some of the appreciation his former compatriots hold for him. Seven cruisers came in the hospital drive, sirens blaring. Officers wearing their dress uniforms offered a salute to Carlon from outside.
His family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren watched from outside the hospital, which has closed them out to safeguard the staff and patients.
“He knows we’re here, we know he’s there but not being able to give him a hug and say we love you is difficult,” granddaughter Lindsey Huffman said.
More at WOOD-TV.